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Child Life Program Director Salary in the United States

How much does a Child Life Program Director make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Child Life Program Director in the United States is $106,868 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $51.

However, a Child Life Program Director's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $131,266
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $90,490 to $119,639
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $75,579
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Child Life Program Director Salaries

A Child Life Program Director's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Child Life Program Director Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Child Life Program Director's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $100,268
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $101,490
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $102,712
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $103,935
  • Expert (over 8 years): $107,249
Levels Salary
Entry Level Child Life Program Director$100,268
Intermediate Level Child Life Program Director$101,490
Senior Level Child Life Program Director$102,712
Specialist Level Child Life Program Director$103,935
Expert Level Child Life Program Director$107,249
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How Do Child Life Program Director Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Child Life Program Directors. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $118,324.
  • California: $117,875.
  • Massachusetts: $116,304.

Top Paying Cities for Child Life Program Directors

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $134,793
  • San Francisco: $133,317
  • Oakland: $130,507

What Skills Can Increase a Child Life Program Director's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 12.64% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
  • First Aid (Mentioned in 4.76% Job Postings): First aid refers to medical attention that is usually administered immediately after the injury occurs and at the location where it occurred.
  • Programming (Mentioned in 1.75% Job Postings): Executing logic to facilitate computing operations and functionality in one or more languages.
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 12.64%
First Aid 4.76%
Programming 1.75%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Child Life Program Director's salary.

  • Builds Networks: Can increase your salary by up to 20%.
  • Coordination: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
  • Initiative: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Builds Networks $128,242
20%
Coordination $116,486
9%
Initiative $115,417
8%
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Child Life Program Director Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Child Life Program Director salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $113,429. While startup companies pay approximate $96,595.

Child Life Program Director Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $96,595
Growth Stage 51~500 $101,992
Established 501~5000 $109,694
Enterprise 5000+ $113,429

Child Life Program Director Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Child Life Program Director roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit, offers compensation 20% above the average. Conversely, Child Life Program Director positions in Healthcare typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Child Life Program Director as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Child Life Program Director

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit$128,242$62.020%

Child Life Program Director Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Child Life Program Director's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$90,490
Average $106,868/year
$119,639
$7,541
Average $8,906/month
$9,970
$1,740
Average $2,055/week
$2,301
$44
Average $51/hour
$58
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $119,639 $9,970 $2,301 $58
Average $106,868 $8,906 $2,055 $51
25th Percentile $90,490 $7,541 $1,740 $44

Most common benefits for Child Life Program Director

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Child Life Program Director

Here are companies hiring for Child Life Program Director and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Child Life Program Director

1. Where can a Child Life Program Director earn the most?

A Child Life Program Director's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Child Life Program Director earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Child Life Program Director is $134,793.

2. What is the highest pay for Child Life Program Director?

The highest pay for Child Life Program Director is $131,266.

3. What is the lowest pay for Child Life Program Director?

The lowest pay for Child Life Program Director is $75,579.

4. What are the responsibilities of Child Life Program Director?

Manages and directs pediatric programs, therapies, and activities among young patients. Evaluates programs and recommends changes to improve care for childhood hospitalizations or disabilities. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to top management. Typically manages through subordinate managers and professionals in larger groups of moderate complexity. Provides input to strategic decisions that affect the functional area of responsibility. May give input into developing the budget. Capable of resolving escalated issues arising from operations and requiring coordination with other departments. Typically requires 3+ years of managerial experience.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Child Life Program Director?

The Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit industry offers the highest average compensation for Child Life Program Director roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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